Departments & Programs

Folklore and Ethnomusicology

Major in Folklore and Ethnomusicology
Purpose

The B.A. Major in Folklore and Ethnomusicology includes the study of performance, specific cultures and regions, human diversity and worldview, and research methods. Folklore and ethnomusicology emphasize fieldwork methods to learn how societies function. Fieldwork involves documenting and learning about people's lives, expressions, and beliefs in context. Through the study of different social groups and cultures, students gain skills in observation, analysis, documentation, reporting, and multicultural understanding. The major prepares students for a range of careers, including those involving the arts, education, historic preservation, communication, cross-cultural understanding, and human diversity and relations. Upon entering the program, the student and undergraduate advisor plan an individualized program of study. Majors may focus on either ethnomusicology or folklore, or a combination of the two.

Folklore is the study of the world's expressive culture; the study of art in culture. Folklorists study tradition and innovation, looking at both groups and individuals, by focusing on creativity in everyday life, including customs, celebration, festivals, stories, jokes, dance, architecture, food, car art, and body art. Ethnomusicology is the study of music of all types and from all cultures. Ethnomusicologists not only listen to the sounds of music, but also explore the roles of music in human life and analyze relationships between music and culture.

Required Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in folklore and ethnomusicology courses, including:

  1. F401 Methods and Theories
  2. F497 Advanced Seminar
  3. One additional 400-level course
  4. Two 300-level courses
  5. One additional course at the 300-400 level.
  6. No more than 6 credit hours at the 100 level.
  7. A maximum of two approved courses from other disciplines for students completing a single major in folklore.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Double Major

Students may combine the study of folklore and ethnomusicology with degrees in other departments. The requirements for the Major in Folklore and Ethnomusicology are the same for the double major as for the single major. Students completing a double major must consult with advisors in each major regarding stipulations.